Networking

Five free tools for managing your wireless network

By // June 25, 2012, 3:39 AM PST

Image 1 of 11

  • Introduction

    Wi-Fi is relatively easy to configure, but optimizing, securing, and diagnosing problems with a wireless network can be a challenge. Here are five free tools that can help.

    Note: If you'd prefer to view this information as a blog post, check out this entry in our Five Apps blog.

    Photo: Wireless Wizard

  • CommView for WiFi

    CommView for WiFi is a packet sniffer that is specifically designed for Wi-Fi networks. As you would expect, the program allows you to capture packets and then search them for specific strings, packet types, etc.

  • CommView for WiFi

    CommView for WiFi also offers an alarm that can alert you whenever certain types of traffic are detected. Such a feature could go a long way toward improving Wi-Fi security.

  • inSSIDer

    inSSIDer is similar to the old Net Stumbler application, except that it has been modernized and it works with operating systems such as Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7.

  • inSSIDer

    inSSIDer is designed to detect wireless networks and report on their type, maximum transfer rate, and channel usage. There is even a graphical representation of each wireless network's amplitude and channel usage.

  • Wireless Wizard

    Wireless Wizard is designed to help you to get the best possible performance from your wireless network connection. In addition to providing all manner of statistics about your wireless network, the software offers a series of diagnostic tests you can use to see how well your wireless network is performing.

  • Wireless Wizard

    Wireless Wizard also includes a spectrum analyzer that recommends the best wireless channel for you to use.

  • Wireless Key Generator

    Wireless Key Generator is a simple application that helps improve wireless network security. It prompts you to specify the type of security you are using on your wireless network and the key strength. It then generates a random encryption key for you to use.

  • Wireless Key Generator

    The use of random keys helps to reduce the temptation to use simple keys that might be easy to guess.

  • WeFi

    WeFi helps you locate free wireless hotspots throughout the world. The application's initial screen displays statistics related to your current connectivity.

  • WeFi

    WeFi also lets you see a filtered view of available hotspots. You can choose to see your favorite hotspots, approved WeSpots, or any available Wi-Fi. WeFi's best feature is the Wi-Fi maps, which show you the locations of public Wi-Fi hotspots.

Introduction

Wi-Fi is relatively easy to configure, but optimizing, securing, and diagnosing problems with a wireless network can be a challenge. Here are five free tools that can help.

Note: If you'd prefer to view this information as a blog post, check out this entry in our Five Apps blog.

Photo: Wireless Wizard

Related Topics:

Networking Data Centers Storage Hardware Security Virtualization Cloud